Some of the assistant ministers – (from left) Harden, Mussen, Dr Annuar, Sikie, Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Abdul Karim, Julaihi, Len Talif, Dr Jerip, Liwan and Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail – pose for a group photograph after the swearing-in ceremony.
KUCHING: The new state cabinet line-up is now complete following the appointment 18 assistant ministers, which included seven new faces, who were sworn in at a ceremony in Dewan Lapau of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex yesterday morning.
Also appointed was new DUN deputy speaker Dato Gerawat Gala, who was the first to be sworn in at yesterday’s ceremony.
The Mulu assemblyman replaces Tarat assemblyman Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, who is now one of the seven new assistant ministers.
Apart from Sagah, the other new assistant ministers are Marudi assemblyman Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi (Pantai Damai), Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Ghazali (Samariang), Dr Annuar Rapaee (Nangka), Malcom Mussen Lamoh (Batang Ai) and Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail (Bukit Kota).
The 11 assemblymen re-appointed as assistant ministers are Datuk Naroden Majais (Gedong), Datuk John Sikie Tayai (Kakus), Datuk Francis Harden (Simanggang), Datuk Talib Zulpilip (Jepak), Datuk Lee Kim Shin (Senadin), Liwan Lagang (Belaga), Datuk Len Talif Saleh (Kuala Rajang), Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Mambong), Datuk Julaihi Narawi (Sebuyau), Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (Asajaya) and Rosey Yunus (Bekenu).
They took their oath before Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, witnessed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
Also present at the ceremony were the three Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing and Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, all the cabinet ministers, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Ghani and other senior government officers.
Former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, and new BN assemblymen namely Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Miro Simuh, John Ilus, Datuk Sebastian Ting, Allan Siden Gramong, Jefferson Jamit and Gerald Rentap Jabu were also at the ceremony.
They then adjourned for lunch at the DUN lobby before a press conference was held by Adenan later to announce the portfolios for the assistant ministers.